County gas theft being investigated

TOMMY YOUNG

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, September 25, 2008

Herald Staff Writer

A Texas Rangers official has confirmed an ongoing investigation into the theft of county gasoline from a precinct facility.

Ranger Marshall Thomas told the Herald on Friday afternoon that gasoline from Precinct 1 fuel tanks is unaccounted for. While declining to give a specific time frame, Thomas indicated the investigation has been going on "for several months" and that "it will continue until we go to trial."

Thomas said the focus of the investigation is "very narrow," indicating that the alleged thefts have occurred only at the Precinct 1 facility.

Lubbock County Assistant District Attorney Marc Chavez has been assigned as the special prosecutor for this investigation.

"The local district attorney has to recuse himself from a case like this due to connections with those being investigated," Thomas said.

Attempts to reach Chavez for comment were not successful.

Neal Burnett, Precinct 1 commissioner, declined to comment on the investigation, as did County Judge Dwain Dodson.